Yes, you are required to discuss your plans with the Innovation Office. Please refer to the Regulations for the Administration of the
University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
There are many advantages to using the Innovation Office, including:
• financial (the Innovation Office pays all patenting costs, and you share the benefits under the
Regulations)
• experience (collective and individual)
• experience in commercialisation
• skilled negotiators
• extensive networks and contacts which lead to partnerships, and in some cases research funding
• reduction of risk (the Innovation Office enters into commercial partnerships through Innovolve, the commercialisation company of NMMU, not you personally – you are protected from product liability and other risks)